The Yoruba Assembly has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently accelerate the creation of state police, warning that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity demands immediate action.
The demand was made during a one-day summit in Lagos, where state policing dominated discussions among stakeholders from across the south-west.
The Assembly, a coalition of influential groups including the Oodua Peoples Congress and Agbekoya, argued that decentralised policing is now widely supported and long overdue.
‘Make it a legacy achievement’
Speaking at the summit, chairman Olawale Oshun urged Tinubu to prioritise the reform and make it a defining legacy of his administration.
He noted that most state governors now back the idea, stressing that the federal government should not delay implementation.
Oshun criticised the proposed 60-month rollout plan reportedly linked to the police committee set up under Tunji Disu, describing it as a move that could stall progress.
According to him, such a timeline risks undermining urgency at a time when insecurity continues to spread.
Oshun warned that insecurity has become a national crisis affecting Nigerians both at home and abroad. He claimed many violent incidents are driven by criminal elements operating across borders, heightening fears of territorial and political destabilisation.
He also expressed surprise at opposition to state policing from former police leadership, including Kayode Egbetokun.
Stakeholders demand inclusive approach
Also speaking, Adewale Adeoye said broad consultations are essential to ensure state police serves the people effectively.
He described the proposed five-year implementation window as evidence of a lack of seriousness, warning it could outlast Tinubu’s tenure and risk abandonment by a future administration.
Adeoye added that the president has the authority to fast-track the process through executive action if necessary.
Communities deserted over bandit fears
Highlighting the human impact of insecurity, Adeoye revealed that several Yoruba-speaking communities in Kwara state have been abandoned due to persistent bandit attacks.
The Assembly insists that without urgent reform, such incidents could worsen, making state policing a critical step in restoring safety and public confidence.
